Rephonic
Artwork for Authors Die Twice
Bloodborne
Metal Gear Solid 2
Kentucky Route Zero
Silent Hill F
Elden Ring
Dead By Daylight
Cy Twombly
Metal Gear Solid 3
Oikospiel
Fallout 4
Indie Games
Metal Gear Solid
Lies Of P
Dark Souls
Dark Souls III
Roland Barthes
Metal Gear Solid 4
Immersion
Design and Gameplay
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare

A podcast on video games and aesthetic theory hosted by two Living Failures.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes38Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo Games

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Artwork for Authors Die Twice

Latest Episodes

Bryan and Nathan are back with another Formless One. They discuss the Diablo franchise and a handful of books: Vacated Landscape by Jean Lahougue; Train Lord by Oliver Mol; The Glassy, Burning Floor of Hell by Brian Evenson; Living on After Failure b... more

YouTube

In this episode, Bryan and Nathan discuss FromSoftware’s 2016 game Dark Souls III. They talk about the game’s traversability, fan service, repetition, memory, and its relationship to the other games in the trilogy.

Find us on YouTube at youtube.com... more

YouTube

In this episode, Bryan and Nathan are joined by special guest Luke Barnhart to discuss the work of American painter Cy Twombly.

Luke's Instagram: www.instagram.com/luke.a.barnhart/

Fifty Days at Iliam: www.philamuseum.org/objects/8... more

YouTube

After a break, the podcast is back with another Formless One. Bryan and Nathan discuss the YouTube channel Eleftherios, the 2016 remake of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (originally released in 2007), Fallout 4 (2015) and the series more generally, and... more

YouTube

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Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Luke Barnhart
Novelist, literary scholar, and painter introduced as a guest
Episode: The Painted World of Cy Twombly (with Luke Barnhart)
James Martell
Guest, game designer or analyst discussed in intro
Episode: A Dose of Ambient Sociality (with James Martell and Erik Larsen)
Erik Larsen
Guest, academic or critic discussed in intro
Episode: A Dose of Ambient Sociality (with James Martell and Erik Larsen)
Martin Dolan
Writer on video games, literature, politics, and tech
The Baffler, Strange Matters, The Nation
Episode: Anti-Indiepus (with Martin Dolan)
Michael Barr
Guest, PhD student and thinker in philosophy
Stony Brook University
Episode: Oikospiel: The Twin Snakes (with Michael Barr)
Erick Verran
Author of Operture Dicta; PhD candidate at the University of Utah; poet and game studies writer
University of Utah; Punctum Books
Episode: Games Criticism (with Erick Verran)
Justin Carpenter
Assistant Professor of English at the University of Utah; foremost expert on Kentucky Route Zero
University of Utah
Episode: Getting Mise'd (with Justin Carpenter)

Hosts

Nathan Weinstein
Co-host who participates in topic exploration and commentary; focused on aesthetics and theory within video games
Bryan Counter
Co-host who introduces topics and guides the discussion; prominent voice in show

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 17 ratings
  • More Miyazaki please

    Intelligent discussion of a complex medium by two very intelligent people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hieronymus667
    Canadaa year ago
  • Great podcast

    Hard to find this level of discussion on video games anywhere. Bryan and Nathan are a joy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Normal1200
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Chatter-free, focused debates with engaging guests and strong host chemistry.
Smart, nuanced takes on games and aesthetics; a rare blend of rigor and accessibility.
Thoughtful, theory-forward discussions that stay grounded in playable examples.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Games Criticism (with Erick Verran)
Q: What role do interruptions of context play in your writing?
He argues that context should support insight, but the payoff is often in the point itself rather than an extensive lit review; the goal is to let the interesting observation stand and avoid burying it under excessive setup.
Games Criticism (with Erick Verran)
Q: How do you approach connecting games to broader theory without losing the experiential core of playing?
Erick explains that he collects diverse examples, lets them interact synoptically, and uses close reading to thread them into a coherent point, always aiming to keep the practical experience of gameplay central rather than letting philosophy overwhelm the text.
Systemic Chekhov's Gun (with Justin Carpenter)
Q: How does the series treat reality versus simulation across Metal Gear Solid 3 and later titles?
Metal Gear Solid 3 foregrounds a tension between perceived realism and underlying simulation, while later titles intensify the blurring of physical and mental states, showing how the series progressively externalizes internal processes into gameplay mechanics and narrative devices.
Systemic Chekhov's Gun (with Justin Carpenter)
Q: What makes the naming conventions in Metal Gear Solid so significant beyond just character labels?
Names function as evolving narrative nodes that reveal shifts in identity, perception, and inter-character dynamics, while also illustrating how the series uses wordplay to reflect broader themes of simulation, lineage, and cultural reference.
The Painted World of Cy Twombly (with Luke Barnhart)
Q: What is your own personal history with Cy Twombly as a painter and influence on your work?
The guests describe Twombly as a deeply serious, rigorously executed painter whose work feels both monumental and intimate. They discuss how the paintings communicate through atmosphere, light, and a quiet, non-fetishized use of language and materials, suggesting a narrative driven by texture and presence rather than overt representation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Authors Die Twice

What is Authors Die Twice about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thought-provoking show that blends video game critique with aesthetic theory. Episodes routinely explore how games intersect with literature, cinema, philosophy, and art, often via in-depth analysis of design choices, atmosphere, and narrative structure. A standout is the way conversations oscillate between dense theory and personal play experiences, aided by a duo of hosts who cultivate a rigorous yet accessible tone. The breadth of topics—from indie games and postmodern storytelling to horror aesthetics and game-space phenomenology—makes it appealing to listeners who want rigorous analysis that stays close to concrete games and experiences. A recurring strength is inviting guests who bring interdisciplinary perspectives, enriching debat... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Authors Die Twice:

1. Weird Studies
2. Why Theory
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. ME READING STUFF
5. Just Make Art

How many episodes of Authors Die Twice are there?

Authors Die Twice launched a year ago and published 38 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Authors Die Twice?

Recent guests on Authors Die Twice include:

1. Luke Barnhart
2. James Martell
3. Erik Larsen
4. Martin Dolan
5. Michael Barr
6. Erick Verran
7. Justin Carpenter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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